Modulation of immune cell differentiation by Prunella vulgaris L. essential oil in pulmonary sarcoidosis treatment

Prunella vulgaris L. is a traditional Chinese medicine known for its ability to disperse nodules and reduce swelling. However, research on the effect of the volatile oil from Prunella vulgaris L. on pulmonary nodulosis remains limited.

To investigate whether essential oil from Prunella vulgaris L. (PVEO) improves pulmonary function in PS mice by inhibiting the inflammation mediated by the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Network pharmacology was used to explore how PVEO might treat PS. GC-MS identified PVEO's chemical components. A PS mouse model was created using Propionibacterium acnes. ELISA measured inflammatory factors in the BALF and blood of these mice. Flow cytometry analyzed CD4⁺ T cell differentiation into TH1 and TH17 cells. Immunofluorescence assessed macrophage differentiation into M1 and M2 phenotypes and the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB. PCR and WB were conducted to detect the expression of mRNAs and proteins related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Network pharmacology predictions indicated that the improvement of pulmonary function by PVEO in PS mice was associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. PCR and western blot (WB) analyses demonstrated that PVEO inhibited the expression of relevant mRNAs and proteins within the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays suggested that PVEO suppressed the differentiation of M1 macrophages, TH1, and TH17 cells in lung tissues of PS mice.

PVEO exerts anti-PS effects by inhibiting the inflammation mediated by the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in macrophages.